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How to Pamper a Bunny

Happy Easter! Whether you celebrate the spring holiday, or perhaps just indulge in a few seasonal treats, you’ll likely notice bunny photos all over stores and social media. This is a great time to talk about Floppy, and what it takes to keep her happy! Here, a Los Gatos, CA vet discusses basic bunny care.

Adopt Wisely

Unfortunately, this is a bad time of year for our floppy-eared friends. It’s still much too common for people to give bunnies as Easter gifts, not really understanding what rabbits need. This often results in bunnies being neglected and/or rehomed. Before adopting a bunny, do some research to make sure that Floppy is a good match for your household.

Basic Care

Bunnies aren’t difficult to care for, but they have different needs than dogs and cats. Floppy will need a roomy, comfortable cage with a solid floor. You’ll need to add a suitable substrate, such as aspen; food dishes; a water bottle; and a hidey-hole. For food, your furball will require unlimited amounts of good grass hay, such as Timothy hay; commercial food; and safe, suitable produce.

Chewing

Bunnies are basically adorable little chewing machines. Floppy has open-rooted teeth, which means she can develop painful dental issues if she can’t chew enough. You’ll need to provide your fuzzy buddy with lots of suitable chew toys. This isn’t necessarily expensive: many cardboard, paper, and wood items make great bunny toys! (Note: never give your furball anything covered in paint, varnish, or dye. Things with sharp edges or small parts are also unsafe, as are pine and cedar items.)

Bunnyproofing

Bunnyproofing is definitely a must! Floppy will need time out of her cage every day. You’ll want to remove or protect wires and cords; baseboards; furniture legs; small items; medicine; chemicals; toxic plants; and plastic products. Ask your vet for more information.